New Field Survey Boosts Protection for Bornean Banteng in Tabin

9 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: A two-week on-ground wildlife expedition has commenced in Tabin Wildlife Reserve to strengthen protection efforts for the critically endangered Bornean banteng and to improve understanding of wildlife across the reserve.

The expedition is led by the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia, with support from the Sabah Forestry Department, HUTAN, UK Appeal, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), Danau Girang Field Centre, and Tabin Wildlife Resort. Its primary objective is to address critical knowledge gaps on banteng populations in the central areas of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, where scientific data remain limited.

Findings from the survey will inform conservation planning and on-the-ground wildlife management, contributing directly to the Bornean Banteng Action Plan 2019–2028 as well as the Management Plans for Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Silabukan Forest Reserve 2020–2030.

The expedition team comprises 58 personnel from SWD, WWF-Malaysia, HUTAN, UK Appeal, and BSBCC. Prior to deployment, participants completed intensive preparatory training in Lahad Datu, covering survey methodologies, first aid, and operational protocols essential for the demanding 14-day field deployment. This was followed by final logistical checks, packing, and the distribution of specialised field equipment to ensure teams were fully prepared for remote and challenging forest conditions.

Core activities of the expedition include the deployment of camera traps and general wildlife surveys throughout Tabin Wildlife Reserve, with a strong focus on improving understanding of banteng distribution and presence. Additional components, such as threat assessments, orangutan surveys, and bird mist-netting, will further strengthen the scientific evidence base required to address data gaps and guide long-term conservation planning and sustainable wildlife management in Tabin.

Covering approximately 122,500 hectares, Tabin Wildlife Reserve falls under the jurisdiction of the Sabah Forestry Department, whose regulatory oversight supports conservation work in the area. Gazetted in 1984 primarily to protect large mammals during a period of rapid land conversion for plantation development, Tabin remains one of eastern Sabah’s most important terrestrial conservation landscapes.

Although often associated with tourism due to the presence of Tabin Wildlife Resort, this perception does not reflect its core purpose.

“Tabin was established to safeguard wildlife, especially large mammals. That is why SWD maintains a presence in Tabin as the state-mandated authority responsible for managing and conserving wildlife in Sabah,” said SWD Director, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar. He added that Tabin continues to play a critical role in wildlife conservation and research, providing an essential refuge for Sabah’s remaining large mammal populations.

The need for updated scientific data has become increasingly urgent. “We have not conducted an expedition in Tabin Wildlife Reserve for a very long time—the last expedition was carried out in 2009,” the Director explained.

The absence of a comprehensive survey for more than a decade presents challenges for effective wildlife management, particularly in understanding current population trends.

“While we have identified banteng presence in several areas, significant parts of the reserve remain unsurveyed, leaving gaps in our knowledge of banteng distribution and habitat use,” he added.

Beyond addressing data gaps, the expedition also aims to strengthen human capacity within conservation teams. It provides new rangers with valuable field exposure while facilitating knowledge transfer from more experienced personnel.

The initiative further promotes cross-agency learning, enabling participating organisations to share skills, methodologies, and field experience, thereby building long-term conservation capacity.

“This expedition is a vital initiative to strengthen our understanding of Sabah’s wildlife,” said Dr Robecca Jumin, Head of Conservation (Sabah), WWF-Malaysia. “Through rigorous field surveys, camera trapping, and systematic monitoring, we aim to generate reliable data on banteng populations and broader biodiversity across the Tabin landscape. This evidence will directly inform conservation planning, strengthen management strategies, and support the long-term protection of these species and their forest habitats.”

This multi-agency expedition marks an important step forward in advancing evidence-based wildlife conservation across the Tabin landscape.

The expedition flagged off on 1 February and will conclude on 14 February